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Wednesday, March 11, 2009

One thing or another

Back in January, Ginger—that fount of Blogland wisdom—posted a picture of a chickadee put together using vintage Letraset type. I was thinking about this when I started working on this spread for my process journal. I don’t know whether or not you’ve ever had the opportunity to work with Letraset, but when I was preparing camera-ready artwork years ago, I found using it was addictive. Even though spacing the letters properly could drive you mad, there was something so satisfying about the crisp look of the finished type.I still have a stash of old Letraset. But the letters were too large for this layout, so I found a sheet of instant lettering I’d bought at the dollar store and used that instead. At least I tried to, but the letters just wouldn’t rub off. (Guess that’s why they call it the dollar store!) In the end, I cut out a chunk from the sheet and used tiny bits of double-sided tape to keep in place. I quite like the effect, and think it might also work with a light wash of paint over it. It’s funny how the intended use of a material can be transformed into something else.

5 comments:

My employers thought I was a genius with that letraset. I still have a few sheets, I actually think you can still purchase it at places like Grand and Toy. And yes you're right there is a reason things are sold at the dollar store, I refuse to spend my time trying to make them work, so I don't do Dollar stores much anymore.

I remember letraset very well, as an offset printer for 30 years I saw it from the other side of the counter. Some did a very good job with it, others could make the biggest piece of garbage you've ever seen....especially if they put a layer of zip-tone over it.

HA! Let's just date ourselves:P Does anyone remember RubyLith!!! I miss the good 'ol days of creating display heads with rub downs! And hand drawing rules with a Rapidograph pen. I got quite good at making sharp corners by over drawing the line then scratching it off flush using an Xacto blade. The Strathmore board we used to keyline on had a clay surface so that facilitated the ink removal. HA! I have some of the craft rub on letters by Making Memories. They come with a wooden popsicle stick for the burnisher:P

Your pages look great! I recognize the process you went through: starting out with one thing or thought and ending up with something (completly) different.And thank you for your book review I'm going to check it out.

My art has appeared several times in ATC Quarterly. It's the coolest zine around.

Moos created by several artists in Europe and North America, including me, were published in this issue.

RubberStampMadness did an interview with me here on my mail art activities and also published several of my stamps and postcards. I went on to write for the magazine and did articles, interviews and a column called "The Creative Process" which prompted me to write my book.

Canadian Scrapbooker published an article I wrote and illustrated on making ATCs.

Teesha Moore published my digital collages in a couple of issues of her popular zine "The Studio."

A four-page article on Photoshop Tips for Teesha Moore's Art & Life

One of my book forms appears in Somerset Gallery III.

A couple of pieces of my art appeared in the first issue of Somerset Gallery.